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Letter-Training School "Deserves to be Preserved"

GREENSVILLE/EMPORIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

LOCAL BOARD MEETING

The Greensville/Emporia Department of Social Services Administrative Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday, December 20th, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Greensville/Emporia Department of Social Services located at 1748 East Atlantic Street.

Career Opportunity

Guidance Counselor

Brunswick Academy, a Pre-School through 12th grade independent school, seek an experienced Guidance Counselor certified in Guidance or related area for grades 8-12. Possession of a Master’s Degree in School Counseling, Guidance Counseling, or School Guidance and Counseling from an accredited college or university; possession of or eligible for a Virginia Department of Education professional teaching certificate with a guidance endorsement and at least 3 years experience in guidance or related field.

Job duties include but not limited to the following:

Provides academic, personal/social, and career counseling

Coordinates comprehensive school counseling program

Communicates with parents and agency representatives

Coordinates teacher and parent conferences as needed

Interprets test data and student records for parents and teachers

Scheduling of classes

Daily attendance

Engaged and on task

Performs other duties as required

Must have a thorough knowledge of the curriculum, instruction and counseling/guidance theory and practice

Communication skills, both oral and written, must be highly developed to meet the diverse needs of the clientele, professional staff and other community agencies

Must be able to organize and carry out student activity programs; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Brunswick Academy is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free work place. Brunswick Academy does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, race, religion, or sex in employment or education. Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests: • State Police Criminal History Investigation • Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation • Tuberculosis Screening/Test. This position is open until filled.

As you did with your earlier piece regarding the Emporia Elementary School Auditorium and the Emporia City Council's plans to demolish it, you made some persuasive points in your more recent writing regarding that same governing body's vote to do the same to the remains of the Greensville County Training School.

Why the rush to raze any old structure with historical significance unless there are plans to re-build on the site, or plans to develop the site in such a way as to benefit taxpayers? Especially questionable and seemingly inappropriate in this instance, as with the initial vote by City Council with regard to the old auditorium, is the spending of a sizable amount of tax dollars for the demolition.

And as with the auditorium, the Training School has a distinct historical relevance that deserves to be preserved, as you rightly pointed out. But in addition to its significance to black residents who may have attended there or whose ancestors may have done so, it should hold significant memories to the entire community.

In 1968, history was made when three white teachers joined the faculty there for the first time, whereas the entire student body remained black. Granted, it was only for a brief period of time until the new Belfield Elementary School was completed mid-year.

I remember it well, because I was one of those three.

For the first time in my life, I experienced what it was like to be in a so-called racial minority. While I was readily accepted by the sixth- grade students, I didn't feel as though I were by some of my fellow teachers. Eventually, pretty much all the faculty accepted me. Two whom I remember as being particularly helpful to me during the time I taught there were the principal, Ulysses Russell, and my fellow teacher, Larose Gilbert, whose funeral I attended within the past year. Mr. Russell and I eventually became good friends. Mrs. Gilbert became my confidant and earned my respect as one of the most color-blind people I have ever known.

Typically, when I am out and about in the community today, I bump into former students who recognize me and whom I am always happy to see. Some I see and speak with on a regular basis and have for years. With others, it is bump-into and see no more, but I always enjoy the experience. One even serves on the city council.

As with my earlier comments about the auditorium, my suggestion here would be to develop some creative plan to restore and preserve the old historical site. Some might see it as a reminder of the past that for them might not have been what they would have liked it to have been. Others, myself included, might recall the old school building as a reminder of a significant time of change in our community. For whatever reason, it has historical significance and deserves preservation.

One suggestion might be to take all or a part of the money allocated to demolish it and to offer it, instead, to a non-profit group such as the association already formed as a type of challenge or matching amount for its restoration. And while the word "grant" as used for those financing vehicles that I mostly frown upon for projects that localities do not deem worthy enough to spend their own tax dollars to finance, why not pursue one for this project that is so worthwhile? Spending tax dollars to build or preserve definitely seems preferable than to destroy.

Regardless, as the city governing body did with the auditorium, at least consider going the extra mile with the training school. And let others join in the discussion. Seek out innovative suggestions and follow-up with those that have merit and seem plausible. Don't just give up and give in because others have decided that that is the only solution.

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